Be careful with agencies
Oct 21st 2009, 10:31 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Be careful with agencies
I am writing about my own experience here.
Basically, I saw an ads advertised on Seek website and therefore sent my CV in September, using my own name. I heard no response from that, so I called the headhunter two days later and was informed that I am not qualified for this role because I don't have Australian working experience.
Last week, I met someone who happened to know the person at the recruitment agency and he told me that he know this recruitment consultant and said if I use an English or Anglo-Saxon sounding name, I will have better chance.
So, I did exactly that, sending another CV but using the the fictional name of Michael Smith. Everything on both CV including telephone no is the same except name.
A day later, the person at the agency called me "Can I speak to Michael Smith?" And I answered "Yes, speaking" and what happened next?
He asked me to meet him at his office. I countered by saying I don't have Australian working experience and he said, that's fine. He said "It does not matter. You have UK working experience, which is not much different from an Australian working experience."
I called an hour before the scheduled time to meet him and asked whether the meeting is on and he said yes. So, I went to see him at his office, he was quite shocked and asked "Are you Michael Smith?" I have to say that I am not of Anglo-Saxon descent.
He is still in the dark about what happened, and I explained that I sent a CV a month ago, but was informed that I am not qualified. The second CV was sent to catch him out. He was red-faced and I said I hate people who discriminate other.
In other words, two identical CV, except for names. The one with an English sounding name get noted, the one with a name that is not Anglo-Saxon get cast aside and probably get thrown into the bin.
The point here is that people who are not of Anglo-Saxon descent, who are not white and who do not have English sounding name, such as Indian, Chinese, etc... are finding it more difficult to get a job due to discrimination and prejudice.
Many headhunters knowingly violate the Equal Opportunity Act and people like them should be reported to the Equality and Human Right Commission.
For people who have sent or are going to send a job application to recruitment agencies, you have been warned. Although the White Australia policy was abandoned a long time ago, there are still people out there who feel that Australian jobs are for white skinned people, and unfortunately, a lot of them work in recruitment agencies.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to the real Michael Smith out there. At the time the second CV was submitted, I could not think of any other Anglo-Saxon name and I would like to seek your forgiveness for using your name without your permission.
I agree very much with people who suggested to me to apply direct.
Basically, I saw an ads advertised on Seek website and therefore sent my CV in September, using my own name. I heard no response from that, so I called the headhunter two days later and was informed that I am not qualified for this role because I don't have Australian working experience.
Last week, I met someone who happened to know the person at the recruitment agency and he told me that he know this recruitment consultant and said if I use an English or Anglo-Saxon sounding name, I will have better chance.
So, I did exactly that, sending another CV but using the the fictional name of Michael Smith. Everything on both CV including telephone no is the same except name.
A day later, the person at the agency called me "Can I speak to Michael Smith?" And I answered "Yes, speaking" and what happened next?
He asked me to meet him at his office. I countered by saying I don't have Australian working experience and he said, that's fine. He said "It does not matter. You have UK working experience, which is not much different from an Australian working experience."
I called an hour before the scheduled time to meet him and asked whether the meeting is on and he said yes. So, I went to see him at his office, he was quite shocked and asked "Are you Michael Smith?" I have to say that I am not of Anglo-Saxon descent.
He is still in the dark about what happened, and I explained that I sent a CV a month ago, but was informed that I am not qualified. The second CV was sent to catch him out. He was red-faced and I said I hate people who discriminate other.
In other words, two identical CV, except for names. The one with an English sounding name get noted, the one with a name that is not Anglo-Saxon get cast aside and probably get thrown into the bin.
The point here is that people who are not of Anglo-Saxon descent, who are not white and who do not have English sounding name, such as Indian, Chinese, etc... are finding it more difficult to get a job due to discrimination and prejudice.
Many headhunters knowingly violate the Equal Opportunity Act and people like them should be reported to the Equality and Human Right Commission.
For people who have sent or are going to send a job application to recruitment agencies, you have been warned. Although the White Australia policy was abandoned a long time ago, there are still people out there who feel that Australian jobs are for white skinned people, and unfortunately, a lot of them work in recruitment agencies.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to the real Michael Smith out there. At the time the second CV was submitted, I could not think of any other Anglo-Saxon name and I would like to seek your forgiveness for using your name without your permission.
I agree very much with people who suggested to me to apply direct.
Oct 21st 2009, 11:16 am
#2
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,054
Re: Be careful with agencies
I am writing about my own experience here.
Basically, I saw an ads advertised on Seek website and therefore sent my CV in September, using my own name. I heard no response from that, so I called the headhunter two days later and was informed that I am not qualified for this role because I don't have Australian working experience.
Last week, I met someone who happened to know the person at the recruitment agency and he told me that he know this recruitment consultant and said if I use an English or Anglo-Saxon sounding name, I will have better chance.
So, I did exactly that, sending another CV but using the the fictional name of Michael Smith. Everything on both CV including telephone no is the same except name.
A day later, the person at the agency called me "Can I speak to Michael Smith?" And I answered "Yes, speaking" and what happened next?
He asked me to meet him at his office. I countered by saying I don't have Australian working experience and he said, that's fine. He said "It does not matter. You have UK working experience, which is not much different from an Australian working experience."
I called an hour before the scheduled time to meet him and asked whether the meeting is on and he said yes. So, I went to see him at his office, he was quite shocked and asked "Are you Michael Smith?" I have to say that I am not of Anglo-Saxon descent.
He is still in the dark about what happened, and I explained that I sent a CV a month ago, but was informed that I am not qualified. The second CV was sent to catch him out. He was red-faced and I said I hate people who discriminate other.
In other words, two identical CV, except for names. The one with an English sounding name get noted, the one with a name that is not Anglo-Saxon get cast aside and probably get thrown into the bin.
The point here is that people who are not of Anglo-Saxon descent, who are not white and who do not have English sounding name, such as Indian, Chinese, etc... are finding it more difficult to get a job due to discrimination and prejudice.
Many headhunters knowingly violate the Equal Opportunity Act and people like them should be reported to the Equality and Human Right Commission.
For people who have sent or are going to send a job application to recruitment agencies, you have been warned. Although the White Australia policy was abandoned a long time ago, there are still people out there who feel that Australian jobs are for white skinned people, and unfortunately, a lot of them work in recruitment agencies.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to the real Michael Smith out there. At the time the second CV was submitted, I could not think of any other Anglo-Saxon name and I would like to seek your forgiveness for using your name without your permission.
I agree very much with people who suggested to me to apply direct.
Basically, I saw an ads advertised on Seek website and therefore sent my CV in September, using my own name. I heard no response from that, so I called the headhunter two days later and was informed that I am not qualified for this role because I don't have Australian working experience.
Last week, I met someone who happened to know the person at the recruitment agency and he told me that he know this recruitment consultant and said if I use an English or Anglo-Saxon sounding name, I will have better chance.
So, I did exactly that, sending another CV but using the the fictional name of Michael Smith. Everything on both CV including telephone no is the same except name.
A day later, the person at the agency called me "Can I speak to Michael Smith?" And I answered "Yes, speaking" and what happened next?
He asked me to meet him at his office. I countered by saying I don't have Australian working experience and he said, that's fine. He said "It does not matter. You have UK working experience, which is not much different from an Australian working experience."
I called an hour before the scheduled time to meet him and asked whether the meeting is on and he said yes. So, I went to see him at his office, he was quite shocked and asked "Are you Michael Smith?" I have to say that I am not of Anglo-Saxon descent.
He is still in the dark about what happened, and I explained that I sent a CV a month ago, but was informed that I am not qualified. The second CV was sent to catch him out. He was red-faced and I said I hate people who discriminate other.
In other words, two identical CV, except for names. The one with an English sounding name get noted, the one with a name that is not Anglo-Saxon get cast aside and probably get thrown into the bin.
The point here is that people who are not of Anglo-Saxon descent, who are not white and who do not have English sounding name, such as Indian, Chinese, etc... are finding it more difficult to get a job due to discrimination and prejudice.
Many headhunters knowingly violate the Equal Opportunity Act and people like them should be reported to the Equality and Human Right Commission.
For people who have sent or are going to send a job application to recruitment agencies, you have been warned. Although the White Australia policy was abandoned a long time ago, there are still people out there who feel that Australian jobs are for white skinned people, and unfortunately, a lot of them work in recruitment agencies.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to the real Michael Smith out there. At the time the second CV was submitted, I could not think of any other Anglo-Saxon name and I would like to seek your forgiveness for using your name without your permission.
I agree very much with people who suggested to me to apply direct.
P.S.: Phone or face allows them to assess your spoken English. If it is as good as your written English then that is one less hurdle for you.
Last edited by WillBlack; Oct 21st 2009 at 11:18 am.
Oct 21st 2009, 11:20 am
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
Thank you so much WillBlack. I have to admit here that English is not my first language but I find your suggestions here and in another post very helpful.
Oct 21st 2009, 11:35 am
#4
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Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Redcliffe, QLD.
Posts: 212
Re: Be careful with agencies
I hope you get something really soon and sorry you were treated this way. How terrible for you. Lou 
Keep your pecker up and go get something better! x
Keep your pecker up and go get something better! x
Oct 21st 2009, 11:43 am
#5
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
The headhunter asked me into his office and so I did and sat down and had a chat with him. I was also asked to fill up one of their standard form, which I did anyway. I was also asked to provide referees, I probably won't do.
Thanks for your encouragement LouB.
Thanks for your encouragement LouB.
Oct 21st 2009, 12:51 pm
#6
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Be careful with agencies
What did this guy say to you after you told him the truth? Anyway, I sincerely hope you get a good job with a decent employer and one that will not discriminate you purely on grounds of your name and where you come from.
Well done for having the courage to do this, because it really does uncover what probably alot of people go through.
Oct 22nd 2009, 12:47 am
#7
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: Be careful with agencies
From what I gather about you on this website is that you're in Perth looking for engineering work. Please don't let this idiot dishearten you, it sounds like you're not letting it get to you anyway. Working in engineering in Perth I can tell you that the offices I have worked in are like the united nations, there is certainly no discrimination going on with the companies employing people here, good luck with your search. PS BHPs RGP6 is kicking off soon and multiple companies are all recruiting for it.
Oct 22nd 2009, 1:15 am
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 28
Re: Be careful with agencies
Wow, that is something.
I am looking for engineering(electrical) work myself in perth at the moment.
All adverts on seek seem to be placed by agents,its kinda hard to avoid them.
P.S : if its okay could you PM the name of the agency; i will not waste my time with them.
I am looking for engineering(electrical) work myself in perth at the moment.
All adverts on seek seem to be placed by agents,its kinda hard to avoid them.
P.S : if its okay could you PM the name of the agency; i will not waste my time with them.
Oct 22nd 2009, 1:23 am
#9
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Be careful with agencies
Right résumé, wrong name
I see where you got Michael Smith from!
Across the board, those with English names such as Greg Johnson and Michael Smith were 40 per cent more likely to receive callbacks than people with the same education and job experience with Indian, Chinese or Pakistani names such as Maya Kumar, Dong Liu and Fatima Sheikh.
Oct 22nd 2009, 3:37 am
#10
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
To jimbo_d, I appreciate your suggestion, but BHP is a mining company and I have no mining experience.
To bcworld, no, I have not read the article before. I don't know why I used that fictional name.
To bcworld, no, I have not read the article before. I don't know why I used that fictional name.
Oct 22nd 2009, 4:18 am
#11
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Location: Wimmera/Mallee
Posts: 115
Re: Be careful with agencies
That is scandalous! Well done you for fronting up to them like that. Glad to see you are not taking it to heart, it if was me i'd have burnt down the office by now but i'm hot headed like that lol!
Also I can vouch for the Engineering side of things. My hubby is one and in his office there are plenty of overseas people, even down here in a regional country town. Engineers are very much needed here and respected in their workplaces. Don't let those f******'s put you off.
Did you consider putting in a complaint to a Govt body or the such like? Surely there must be a watch dog for this kind of thing?
Also I can vouch for the Engineering side of things. My hubby is one and in his office there are plenty of overseas people, even down here in a regional country town. Engineers are very much needed here and respected in their workplaces. Don't let those f******'s put you off.
Did you consider putting in a complaint to a Govt body or the such like? Surely there must be a watch dog for this kind of thing?
Oct 22nd 2009, 6:52 am
#12
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
That is scandalous! Well done you for fronting up to them like that. Glad to see you are not taking it to heart, it if was me i'd have burnt down the office by now but i'm hot headed like that lol!
Also I can vouch for the Engineering side of things. My hubby is one and in his office there are plenty of overseas people, even down here in a regional country town. Engineers are very much needed here and respected in their workplaces. Don't let those f******'s put you off.
Did you consider putting in a complaint to a Govt body or the such like? Surely there must be a watch dog for this kind of thing?
Also I can vouch for the Engineering side of things. My hubby is one and in his office there are plenty of overseas people, even down here in a regional country town. Engineers are very much needed here and respected in their workplaces. Don't let those f******'s put you off.
Did you consider putting in a complaint to a Govt body or the such like? Surely there must be a watch dog for this kind of thing?
Sure there is a watch dog, which is called Equal Opportunity and Human Right Commission. I have already mentioned it in my post above. Would I put it a complaint? Of course I will.
Oct 22nd 2009, 7:00 am
#13
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Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
Forgot to add one more thing. Having exposed it, I am asking myself whether I have done the right thing. Despite people her saying "well done" this is nothing to be proud about.
It may actually hinder my future job search. You see, there are many people who used britishexpats.com and I am pretty sure many employers are regular posters here. People may have perceived it as trouble making. It is a small world, everyone knows everyone else.
It may actually hinder my future job search. You see, there are many people who used britishexpats.com and I am pretty sure many employers are regular posters here. People may have perceived it as trouble making. It is a small world, everyone knows everyone else.
Oct 22nd 2009, 3:40 pm
#14
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 484
Re: Be careful with agencies
Wow. Hats off to you for catching them out like that!! I am a British born Indian and will be heading to Perth soon so I assume I'll have the same probs as yourself. Like 1 guy said it will be worth going to see agents rather than just being a CV.
I have met a few agents in Oz. In their defence (not that their is much of one) there are many, many Indians arriving in oz now and their English is terrible. They get someone else to call up, do CV's and then the truth comes out when they go to interview. You're english however is perfect so you have even more reason to meet these guys and prove their pre-conceptions wrong.
Its a shame but its been like this for years. Don't know if you watch Dragons Den but thats why that turncoat Nazim Kham changed his name to James Caan ;-) And he called his comapny Hamilton Bradshaw
As for this agency write a letter to the CEO. I am sure you'll get something out of it and the agent probably expects it. You're not causing trouble and they deserve it. I doubt any employers read Britexpats as well. They're all surfing the aussie rules websites. Good luck!
I have met a few agents in Oz. In their defence (not that their is much of one) there are many, many Indians arriving in oz now and their English is terrible. They get someone else to call up, do CV's and then the truth comes out when they go to interview. You're english however is perfect so you have even more reason to meet these guys and prove their pre-conceptions wrong.
Its a shame but its been like this for years. Don't know if you watch Dragons Den but thats why that turncoat Nazim Kham changed his name to James Caan ;-) And he called his comapny Hamilton Bradshaw
As for this agency write a letter to the CEO. I am sure you'll get something out of it and the agent probably expects it. You're not causing trouble and they deserve it. I doubt any employers read Britexpats as well. They're all surfing the aussie rules websites. Good luck!
Oct 23rd 2009, 3:08 am
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Be careful with agencies
Wow. Hats off to you for catching them out like that!! I am a British born Indian and will be heading to Perth soon so I assume I'll have the same probs as yourself. Like 1 guy said it will be worth going to see agents rather than just being a CV.
I have met a few agents in Oz. In their defence (not that their is much of one) there are many, many Indians arriving in oz now and their English is terrible. They get someone else to call up, do CV's and then the truth comes out when they go to interview. You're english however is perfect so you have even more reason to meet these guys and prove their pre-conceptions wrong.
Its a shame but its been like this for years. Don't know if you watch Dragons Den but thats why that turncoat Nazim Kham changed his name to James Caan ;-) And he called his comapny Hamilton Bradshaw
As for this agency write a letter to the CEO. I am sure you'll get something out of it and the agent probably expects it. You're not causing trouble and they deserve it. I doubt any employers read Britexpats as well. They're all surfing the aussie rules websites. Good luck!
I have met a few agents in Oz. In their defence (not that their is much of one) there are many, many Indians arriving in oz now and their English is terrible. They get someone else to call up, do CV's and then the truth comes out when they go to interview. You're english however is perfect so you have even more reason to meet these guys and prove their pre-conceptions wrong.
Its a shame but its been like this for years. Don't know if you watch Dragons Den but thats why that turncoat Nazim Kham changed his name to James Caan ;-) And he called his comapny Hamilton Bradshaw
As for this agency write a letter to the CEO. I am sure you'll get something out of it and the agent probably expects it. You're not causing trouble and they deserve it. I doubt any employers read Britexpats as well. They're all surfing the aussie rules websites. Good luck!
Did you watch Lateline Business? Two days ago, Ali Moore, the presenter, invited a visiting professor from the US who said that nothing has been learnt from the financial crisis. Ethics and morality are no longer practiced in many organisations, as long as the firm can make more profit.
I am not sure if employers read Britishexpats.com but a lot of them used Facebook to catch people out. If they have caught me out writing on this forum, and feel that what I have not are not right, that is their opinion. The worse thing that can happen to me is that no employer wants to employ me, and when that happens, I will get myself a flight out of Australia and go home.